Washington, D.C.– The Republican State Leadership Committee PAC (RSLC PAC) today launched a striking new video exposing Virginia Democrats’ silence on Jay Jones’ harmful text messages. Key figures, including gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, continue to support him despite his calls for violence. With Election Day nearing, this underscores their failure in leadership and raises serious concerns about their alignment with a culture of violence.
“Virginians deserve leaders they can trust, but Richmond Democrats’ refusal to call on Jay Jones to withdraw clearly shows their preference for political power over basic decency,” said RSLC Spokesman Matt Laux. “Voters are increasingly realizing that Democrat officials lack the moral clarity essential for true leadership in Richmond. Ignoring violent rhetoric is not a sign of neutrality; it speaks volumes about complicity.”
Watch “Complicit Silence” HERE.
TRANSCRIPT
News Anchor #1: “Outrage over violent text messages from Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for Virginia Attorney General.”
News Anchor #2: “The messages sent to another lawmaker talked about shooting the Republican Speaker of the State House.”
Debate Moderator: “I didn’t hear an answer there. Will you continue to endorse Jay Jones, and were you aware of these text messages before they released?”
Narrator: “How are Virginia Democrats responding? Complicit Silence.”
Abigail Spanberger: “Ah… in fact, it appears that it was… the… uhh…”
Debate Moderator: “For you yourself, do you still continue to endorse Jay Jones? 15 seconds, yes or no?”
Abigail Spanberger: “I, we are all running our individual races.”
Jake Tapper: “No Democratic officials have called for him to step down.”
Debate Moderator: “We just want to clarify, you know, what you’re saying is that as of now, you still endorse Jay Jones as Attorney General.”
Abigail Spanberger: “I’m saying as of now, it’s up to every voter to make their own individual decision.”
Narrator: “Virginia Democrats chose violence. Virginia voters need leaders they can trust. Vote Republican on Tuesday, November 4th.”
Background
In 2022, Democratic nominee for Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones sent a string of abhorrent text messages to a colleague calling for the murder of then-Republican Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert. Jones repeatedly doubled down on the claims, despite pushback from his former colleague. Despite these messages being made public nearly a month ago, no Democrat officials in Virginia have called for Jones to drop out of the race for Attorney General, including Jones’ running mates on the 2025 Democratic ticket.
About RSLC
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the largest organization of Republican state leaders in the country and only national committee whose mission is to recruit, train, and elect Republicans to multiple down-ballot, state-level offices. Thanks to our growing network of grassroots supporters in all 50 states, we help deliver wins for Republican state legislators, lieutenant governors, secretaries of state, agriculture officials, and state judges across the country.
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